Look out above!

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AL STRACHAN -- Toronto Sun

May 4, 2005

, Last Updated: 9:05 AM ET

INNSBRUCK -- A photographer's remote-controlled camera came crashing to the ice during Canada's 8-0 win over Slovenia at the world hockey championship yesterday.

Late in the first period, the camera came loose from its mounting on a metal girder near the ceiling and smashed to pieces in front of the Slovenian goaltender. The play was in the Canadian end at the time, a rare occurrence during the game.

The camera belonged to a Reuters photographer and shortly afterward three Austrian police officers arrived in the press box to return the shattered remains and take a statement from its owner.

Overhead media cameras have been banned at the world championship until further notice.

The Canadians took it all in stride.

"We thought it was shaken loose because of how fast Nasher and Joe were spinning around out there," Canada's Shane Doan said with a chuckle of his teammates, Rick Nash and Joe Thornton.

But weren't the players worried?

"No," Doan said with a laugh. "That's why the new CCM helmet is so thick. It has an extra pad in the forehead. In case a camera ever comes at you from that direction, you're safe."

Kris Draper was on the bench at the time.

"I just said, 'It's a good time to be in your own end. You don't want to be on the offensive side of the puck there.' "